Is the New PMP Exam Hard?

The Project Management Institute (PMI) had published an Exam Content Outline in 2019, where the new changes in the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam were outlined and would come into effect from 2nd January 2021. 

New Changes in the PMP Exam Pattern

Previously, the PMP exam consisted of 200 questions; however, in 2021, the exam consisted of 180 questions, out of which 5 are pre-test questions. The exam duration is 230 minutes, which is approx 4 hours.

There are two 10-minutes breaks each for the online-based exam instead of one permitted earlier. However, there are no breaks in the case of a paper-based exam.

Types of PMP Exam Questions

The PMP credential is a closed-book exam consisting of the following question patterns:

• Multiple responses
• Matching
• MCQs
• Limited fill-in-the-blanks
• Hotspot

Why a Change in PMP Credential Exam?

The reason for a change in the PMP exam is that the job opportunities for project managers have shifted. The PMI has conducted research to determine how the project management profession has developed and evolved with time, what have been the effect of the recent emerging professional trends, followed by how the project manager's responsibilities changed regarding these factors.

Experts on these topics from around the globe and leading companies have worked with PMI and finalized that a new exam pattern is necessary. In addition, they have suggested that project managing professionals require a broad range of potential and diverse approaches.

Earlier PMP Domain Areas: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & controlling, Closing

The prior content outline consisted of 5 domains and was valid till 31st December 2020. The exam content focused on project lifecycle stages as domains.

Initiating (13%)

It is the first stage of the project management life cycle. The project is introduced to the stakeholders or sponsors, and the project scope is discussed here.

Planning (24%)

Here, the project manager formulates a detailed statement of project scope followed by other activities - schedule analysis, preparing work breakdown structure, resource allocation, and more.

Executing (31%)

In this phase, the project's main operation and implementation occur. The project manager allocates the task to the resources and starts working according to the plan.

Monitoring & Controlling (25%)

This phase goes hand in hand with execution as the manager monitors and ensures that the scheme's performance is efficient. They have to maintain a check on conflicts, risks, and changes that might occur during the procedure.

Closure (7%)

Being the final stage of the cycle, it includes acceptance, definitive documentation, and completion of needed legal procedures before closing the project.

New PMP Domain Areas: Process, People, Business Environment

There is a huge transition from the earlier exam content outline which had 5 knowledge domains.

The PMP credential covers three domains based on the PMBOK Guide latest edition (Edition 7) by PMI. However, PMI has announced that the credential test would be based on PMBOK Ed 6.

About half of the credential tests will have predictive project management methodologies, and the other half will have agile or hybrid methods.

Designed by project professionals, the PMP credential validates that you are among the top-notch skillset in:

PEOPLE (42%)

The 'People' domain emphasizes the soft skills you require to lead a project team in the changing business environment efficiently. Some of the tasks in this domain include:

• Conflict management
• Team leadership 
• Supporting team performance
• Ensuring adequate training for team members
• Project negotiation
• Stakeholder collaboration, and more.

PROCESS (50%)

The 'Process' domain strengthens the technical aspects of successful project management. Some of the tasks in this domain include:

• Communication management
• Risk assessment and management
• Project execution to deliver business value
• Budgeting planning
• Plan and manage schedule, and more.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT (8%)

The 'Business Environment' domain displays the relation between projects and organizational strategy. Some of the tasks in this domain include:

• Plan and manage project compliance
• Determine project value and benefits
• Supporting organizational change
• Addressing external business changes

The consequences of these changes are significant. It's essentials that candidates must have basic knowledge on project management concepts, its technical features, the frameworks and the guidelines.

The 'People' and 'Business Environment' contain new contents; thus, candidate will have to work harder for the exam. Moreover, Agile methodologies is a must. Hence, candidates must have a knowledge and experience in predictive and Agile/hybrid areas.

Even though the new PMP exam is much harder and more application based than previous patters; however, it's not impossible to pass.

How to Increase Your Chance to Pass the PMP Exam?

Though the PMP credential exam is challenging; however, the PMI is not preventing you from obtaining the PMP certification. The purpose of PMI to set challenges is to ensure that you fully understand the idea behind being an efficient project manager.

Let's see how you can increase the chance of getting hands-on PMP accreditation.

• Schedule a study routine that works best for you.
• Take multiple practice tests to help you identify your strong and weak areas in the PMP domain.
• Memorizing key terms and formulas will significantly help you during the exam. Therefore, flashcards are a great study asset to practice your knowledge. These assets are available online, or you can also make your own.
• Attend PMP training courses offered by PMI-approved training centers. The centers will help you prepare for the PMP exam by providing you with resources such as full-length practice tests, mock PMP exams, and more they have created, ensuring that you pass the test on your first try.

When is the Best Time to Take PMP Exam?

Whether the exam changes or not, if you are prepared and doing more than just good on the mock test, it's time to schedule for the exam. Suppose an exam change is on the way or getting closer. In that case, you might consider pushing yourself to take the credential test before the changes happen if it makes sense to do so.

For instance, you have dedicated a considerable amount of effort and time to shaping yourself for the exam by leveraging one edition of the PMBOK Guide. However, the guide's new edition and updated exam pattern will be launched; of course, you must push yourself to take the test before such changes happen.

If you push yourself to appear for the PMP exam without sufficient preparation, you will likely have a bitter experience. Of course, not everyone passes the test on the first attempt; however, you won't get PMP-certified with a lack of preparation and undue stress.

You don't want to look back and regret exam failure as you rushed to take it, do you?

Keep in mind, take the exam only when you're ready, not when someone compels you to do so.

Conclusion

To sum up, we can say that the new PMP exam is challenging, as it covers a vast area of project management concepts. Moreover, it requires hands-on knowledge of these topics.

However, with the correct planning and exam prep methods, any candidate can pass the exam with a great score.

Apart from these materials and resources, the role of the PMP training institute is essential. Therefore, the participant should choose the best PMP training institute, as it offers candidates all the knowledge, time, and materials they need to top the exam.

Are you looking to create a change in your career with PMP certification? If yes, enrol iCert Global's PMP certification training course now!

We would be privileged to play a part in your journey towards achieving a globally recognized PMP Certification from The Project Management Institute, Inc. 

Benchmark your current level of preparation for the latest version of the PMP Exam. 

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You may also be interested in Sample PMP® Exam Prep Questions before you download the Free PMP® Practice Test.

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